I was walking my dogs early one Saturday morning a few weeks ago when a white flatbed zoomed by, its giant FJB flag flapping in the wind. I’d seen it around my tiny town, but had never figured out which fool it belonged to. To my surprise, it circled back and pulled up behind me. As I turned to look, I realized it was this goofy guy who often chats me up in the hardware store and instantly remembered when he got the truck, as he talked about it frequently. Before he could say a word, I said “I’ve been wondering who the [expletive] was who was stupid enough to put that ridiculous flag on his work truck.”
I haven’t seen it since and I’m more than a little hopeful he realized how damn stupid he looks.
You could hope just a comment or two would be enough for people to roll up the trash talk and save it for their friends at the bar, I thought those days were gone! Welcome back to the 70s where annoying your neighbor or the chagrin of your wife and kids was enough to stop ones worst impulses! Thank you for saying something and helping get that kind of stuff out of sight. It's done to intimidate, not inspire, and for many people it is a hard reckoning to realize people you know support violence and coercion in the public sphere, but maybe we need not assume everyone agrees and saying something is worth it if you know the person...
Your comment probably hit hard as he was the guy chatting you up… probably because he LIKED you. Sometimes, that’s all it takes- seeing from someone else’s perspective. Especially if that someone is someone you admire.
I risked friendships and family relationships by telling them why I can’t tolerate republicans today. If they chose to end relationship with me because of it? So be it. I shared photos I took at out last family get together (to spread ashes of 2 family) and luncheon. I realized I was pretty much dead to everyone when zero response.
Here in Massachusetts I can barely believe what you see - what you live with every day. It saps the energy just to read about it. Yet you get up every day to keep working for democracy a step at a time. Thank you for what you do. The ignorance of the people you describe is just astonishing.
And your work is visible to LOTS more folks, and is way more galvanizing in all the ways that matter. Thank you for coming out swinging, every day, to protect freedom. The pen/keyboard truly is mightier than the sword.
That grandma reminds me of my neighbor. Flew a Trump flag in front of his house until soon after the insurrection. It moved to the back of the house. I’m thinking his wife made him. After last week’s big windstorm, glory hallelujah it’s gone. I’ll take it as divine providence in favor of democracy.
Wish that would happen to the Confederate flag I drive past a few times a week in my NY state area. Just saw a big FJB sign on a big old house the other day. A former friend of mine had one on her house just after the election. I was so turned off. I don’t get it.
I suppose there’s some motivating factor which “inspires” someone to paint outrageous signs like you describe. Could it be hate? Could it be their unconditional support for a narcissist charlatan? Could it be a poor self esteem? Could it be seeking power? Or, could it be all the above? Meanwhile, Trump is trying to get the toothpaste back into the tube! Let’s make him eat his treacherous words! VOTE!
Thank goodness for you and your amazing determination! You inspire me! I regularly host Democratic fundraisers in my house and try to do a little something every day. Our next one is on 4/24 in NYC to support Her Bold Move, an amazing group of creatives that provide women who are running for office free ad campaigns, coaching and PR/communication help. Did you know 72% of US elected officials are men and the number of women running for office is declining? Her Bold Move works to make sure the courageous women who do run WIN!
Many thanks for this, Betsy. Her Bold Move is honored to have your enthusiasm, support, and advocacy. We will continue to support women candidates running for office EVERYWHERE -- not just the high profile "red to blue" races. Women in deep red districts and states need proper representation now more than ever.
Across from our local High school was sign - a picture of a very hate filled face with his middle finger sticking up. Such bad energy and vibes and modeling the behavior we try to help our kids not be exposed to let alone engage in.. hmmmm
For me, that is one of the biggest disconnects. How many parents would tolerate their kids behaving like Trump? Constantly lying, disparaging others, being a bully, being dishonest... The list goes on and on. The other day I saw an SUV driving down our Main Street in upstate New York bearing a large flag with "F..k Biden". I thought, who does that? What kind of vitriol drives that expression? And unfortunately, probably many of the same people want to ban books in schools to protect kids from obscenities!
Same! And the new tagline for GOP funders is, vote for us even if the vitriol is out of alignment with your personal values or what you want your children to model, the publicly acknowledged disconnect is so weird...
Love your posts! Unbelievable to me that anyone would want a child to see FJB or any picture of a human hogtied…loss of minds and (souls)…keep it going Jess
As I sit happily in my blue bubble, I am in awe of your perseverance. Thank you for your observations delivered with a keen eye and humor. You bring me to my knees.
I live near Rolla and believe me I understand what you are saying. I think I am seeing fewer Trump signs this year than in 16 or 20 though. And yesterday I saw my first Kennedy 2024 bumper sticker. On what looked to me like a likely past Trump voter vehicle. Hmmmm...
I know it's early days though and I will definitely not relax. But the abortion message from Trump will have negative consequences - on both sides. It was just crazy on so many levels.
Here in rural northern Indiana there are many many huge Trump signs, but I feel a little hope because some of the biggest ones (an 8 foot “Trump Won” lucite sign attached to an electricity pole, for example) have been removed. I like to think it’s because the sign erectors got sick of me flipping off the signs every time I drive by. 🤣
I think it makes them feel important, that they are part of a group or a tribe. It makes them fit in with their friends and neighbors which makes them feel good, no matter what they really believe.
One of the most frustrating and hard to figure out things is that is core base seems to be made up of people for whom he has little regard and would do nothing.
Visiting some much loved Republican family last week in Missouri, it was striking how completely everyone adopted the persona. The pressure to conform is enormous.
Perhaps a campaign to let people know that their ballot is secret would help some closeted abortion supporters to vote without fear of being ostracized.
Not everyone knows, and some could use help believing it. Just talking about the secrecy of the ballot may help plant the seed that voting against the will of the group is possible.
Someone in NY posted on a different thread that local towns here lean Dem but the election offices are often staffed by Republicans, she was positing that they know how you vote and may act accordingly. Like they moved house around the time of election and were told at polling place was no problem and then found out their votes were tossed because of 'unmatching' address. When dealing with people who are screaming, we need to pay attention to what they are saying about what the 'other people ' are doing and watch for that...methinks he does protest too much...right? It's the projection of the crime/activity before it happens?
In my "nice" Massachusetts town there is home with a very large *UCK BIDEN sign. The town counsel determined it is free speech and therefore protected. This in on Main ST on the ride to a very popular ice cream shop. Thankful that it's the only one I've seen. But still excessive and disgusting.
We just drove back to Denver from our family cabin near Cassville in southwestern Missouri. Driving through rural Missouri and Kansas was maddening. even in the best of times it is a boring, windy drive. But the last several years it’s been worse. So many trump signs. So many anti-abortion signs. Even some confederate flags! It’s always so nice to start to see the mountains again. That means I’m almost back to my “blueish purple” bubble. What you do is so important and I can’t imagine how frustrating it must be to have to constantly fight against the deeply imbedded trumpists. Good job!!
😂 Valid question! My family has had a cabin on Table Rock Lake near Eagle Rock since the 70’s. We’ve been going there every other spring for as long as I can remember.
I was walking my dogs early one Saturday morning a few weeks ago when a white flatbed zoomed by, its giant FJB flag flapping in the wind. I’d seen it around my tiny town, but had never figured out which fool it belonged to. To my surprise, it circled back and pulled up behind me. As I turned to look, I realized it was this goofy guy who often chats me up in the hardware store and instantly remembered when he got the truck, as he talked about it frequently. Before he could say a word, I said “I’ve been wondering who the [expletive] was who was stupid enough to put that ridiculous flag on his work truck.”
I haven’t seen it since and I’m more than a little hopeful he realized how damn stupid he looks.
You could hope just a comment or two would be enough for people to roll up the trash talk and save it for their friends at the bar, I thought those days were gone! Welcome back to the 70s where annoying your neighbor or the chagrin of your wife and kids was enough to stop ones worst impulses! Thank you for saying something and helping get that kind of stuff out of sight. It's done to intimidate, not inspire, and for many people it is a hard reckoning to realize people you know support violence and coercion in the public sphere, but maybe we need not assume everyone agrees and saying something is worth it if you know the person...
Here’s hoping! I’ll report back if I have confirmation either way.
Your comment probably hit hard as he was the guy chatting you up… probably because he LIKED you. Sometimes, that’s all it takes- seeing from someone else’s perspective. Especially if that someone is someone you admire.
I risked friendships and family relationships by telling them why I can’t tolerate republicans today. If they chose to end relationship with me because of it? So be it. I shared photos I took at out last family get together (to spread ashes of 2 family) and luncheon. I realized I was pretty much dead to everyone when zero response.
So. Be. It.
You’re brave!
Nah, I’m really not. He’s a clown, that’s all. A disaffected nearly middle aged white male clown. But he votes and that’s the scary part!
Back in 2016, driving across central Ohio, I saw that someone had mown a message into his/her hayfield. STOP TRUMP! So, there's that.
Yaaaaay!
yes! yay!!
It’s the small victories.
Here in Massachusetts I can barely believe what you see - what you live with every day. It saps the energy just to read about it. Yet you get up every day to keep working for democracy a step at a time. Thank you for what you do. The ignorance of the people you describe is just astonishing.
The condescension to call support of a candidate who speaks to their values as "ignorance" is astonishing.
You know what? I think you’re right. My comments were uncalled for. Thank you.
And your work is visible to LOTS more folks, and is way more galvanizing in all the ways that matter. Thank you for coming out swinging, every day, to protect freedom. The pen/keyboard truly is mightier than the sword.
Solidarity!
That grandma reminds me of my neighbor. Flew a Trump flag in front of his house until soon after the insurrection. It moved to the back of the house. I’m thinking his wife made him. After last week’s big windstorm, glory hallelujah it’s gone. I’ll take it as divine providence in favor of democracy.
That's awesome.
Wish that would happen to the Confederate flag I drive past a few times a week in my NY state area. Just saw a big FJB sign on a big old house the other day. A former friend of mine had one on her house just after the election. I was so turned off. I don’t get it.
I suppose there’s some motivating factor which “inspires” someone to paint outrageous signs like you describe. Could it be hate? Could it be their unconditional support for a narcissist charlatan? Could it be a poor self esteem? Could it be seeking power? Or, could it be all the above? Meanwhile, Trump is trying to get the toothpaste back into the tube! Let’s make him eat his treacherous words! VOTE!
You forgot "could it be they think leftists are ruining the country?" Ever think of that?
Thank goodness for you and your amazing determination! You inspire me! I regularly host Democratic fundraisers in my house and try to do a little something every day. Our next one is on 4/24 in NYC to support Her Bold Move, an amazing group of creatives that provide women who are running for office free ad campaigns, coaching and PR/communication help. Did you know 72% of US elected officials are men and the number of women running for office is declining? Her Bold Move works to make sure the courageous women who do run WIN!
If anyone wants to support Her Bold Move donate here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/hbm-nyc-2024
Many thanks for this, Betsy. Her Bold Move is honored to have your enthusiasm, support, and advocacy. We will continue to support women candidates running for office EVERYWHERE -- not just the high profile "red to blue" races. Women in deep red districts and states need proper representation now more than ever.
Across from our local High school was sign - a picture of a very hate filled face with his middle finger sticking up. Such bad energy and vibes and modeling the behavior we try to help our kids not be exposed to let alone engage in.. hmmmm
For me, that is one of the biggest disconnects. How many parents would tolerate their kids behaving like Trump? Constantly lying, disparaging others, being a bully, being dishonest... The list goes on and on. The other day I saw an SUV driving down our Main Street in upstate New York bearing a large flag with "F..k Biden". I thought, who does that? What kind of vitriol drives that expression? And unfortunately, probably many of the same people want to ban books in schools to protect kids from obscenities!
Same! And the new tagline for GOP funders is, vote for us even if the vitriol is out of alignment with your personal values or what you want your children to model, the publicly acknowledged disconnect is so weird...
Maga: pity the children.
Pity the fool?
Ouch!
Sry! Couldn't help myself. Though I think I'm dating myself with Mister T references...
Ha! Know of him but not much more. But now I know twice as much as I used to. Thanks!
Sadly, too many parents are teaching their children this unacceptable behavior.
Love your posts! Unbelievable to me that anyone would want a child to see FJB or any picture of a human hogtied…loss of minds and (souls)…keep it going Jess
As I sit happily in my blue bubble, I am in awe of your perseverance. Thank you for your observations delivered with a keen eye and humor. You bring me to my knees.
I live near Rolla and believe me I understand what you are saying. I think I am seeing fewer Trump signs this year than in 16 or 20 though. And yesterday I saw my first Kennedy 2024 bumper sticker. On what looked to me like a likely past Trump voter vehicle. Hmmmm...
I think you're right! I'm seeing way fewer Trump signs too.
I know it's early days though and I will definitely not relax. But the abortion message from Trump will have negative consequences - on both sides. It was just crazy on so many levels.
I drove up from KC to Albany Easter weekend and noticed the same thing. I took it as a sign that some semblance of sanity might actually be returning.
Here in rural northern Indiana there are many many huge Trump signs, but I feel a little hope because some of the biggest ones (an 8 foot “Trump Won” lucite sign attached to an electricity pole, for example) have been removed. I like to think it’s because the sign erectors got sick of me flipping off the signs every time I drive by. 🤣
Me too. Most are from the early 2024 adopters or left over from 202, still hanging dirty and in tatters.
So far no truck and flag rallies … although it’s not summer yet.
That's curious...
I think it makes them feel important, that they are part of a group or a tribe. It makes them fit in with their friends and neighbors which makes them feel good, no matter what they really believe.
One of the most frustrating and hard to figure out things is that is core base seems to be made up of people for whom he has little regard and would do nothing.
Visiting some much loved Republican family last week in Missouri, it was striking how completely everyone adopted the persona. The pressure to conform is enormous.
Perhaps a campaign to let people know that their ballot is secret would help some closeted abortion supporters to vote without fear of being ostracized.
Do people not know that their ballots are secret? It’s one of the most important democratic principles.
Not everyone knows, and some could use help believing it. Just talking about the secrecy of the ballot may help plant the seed that voting against the will of the group is possible.
Really. That is quite shocking to me. It’s always surprised and annoyed me that folks are so willing to answer those exit pollers as well.
Someone in NY posted on a different thread that local towns here lean Dem but the election offices are often staffed by Republicans, she was positing that they know how you vote and may act accordingly. Like they moved house around the time of election and were told at polling place was no problem and then found out their votes were tossed because of 'unmatching' address. When dealing with people who are screaming, we need to pay attention to what they are saying about what the 'other people ' are doing and watch for that...methinks he does protest too much...right? It's the projection of the crime/activity before it happens?
In my "nice" Massachusetts town there is home with a very large *UCK BIDEN sign. The town counsel determined it is free speech and therefore protected. This in on Main ST on the ride to a very popular ice cream shop. Thankful that it's the only one I've seen. But still excessive and disgusting.
Maybe it is free speech but it’s also an obscenity, no? I’m shocked that they’d let it stay.
We just drove back to Denver from our family cabin near Cassville in southwestern Missouri. Driving through rural Missouri and Kansas was maddening. even in the best of times it is a boring, windy drive. But the last several years it’s been worse. So many trump signs. So many anti-abortion signs. Even some confederate flags! It’s always so nice to start to see the mountains again. That means I’m almost back to my “blueish purple” bubble. What you do is so important and I can’t imagine how frustrating it must be to have to constantly fight against the deeply imbedded trumpists. Good job!!
You vacation in Cassville???? From Colorado????
😂 Valid question! My family has had a cabin on Table Rock Lake near Eagle Rock since the 70’s. We’ve been going there every other spring for as long as I can remember.